Straight In Shots

[prewarhero]

This thread has really depressed me. I can't believe there are so many on this board that know so little about shooting pool. A straight in shot requires nothing beyond a straight stroke. How simple could it be? No pivot, no sweep, no throw, no spin, no touchie rightie no high and outside and no rain dance required. Just a straight stroke. Come on really? We are talking about straight in shots right?

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I have put a lot of time and thought into this exact topic. I feel now that my percentage on a straight shot is near 100. These are the things that have helped me over the years:

1) You need the correct visual to see the shot the right way. I would recommend giving a call to Geno on here...he has put a lot of study into seeing the shot right. A friend of mine, actually the manager of Snookers in Providence, RI helped my out *tremendously*. He has these little black stickers. They look like the number 8, with two circles exactly the size of pool balls. The idea is you put the sticker down on the table with the little arrow aiming straight into the pocket. You place the object ball on the front "ball" of the sticker. The back ball is like a ghost ball, with a little red dot in the center. Now, the strange part is, you take the thin white backing to the sticker and stand it up against the back of the object ball, such that you cannot see the object ball when you are down to shoot. All you can see is the rear ghost ball with the red dot in the center. You then practice shooting the cue ball at the red dot. You know you did it when the object ball goes straight in. This obviously will be nothing like most people aim, but that isn't the point. The point is to shoot perfectly straight *AT* the thing you are trying to shoot at. Most people just don't see "straight" correctly. I can't tell you how much this helped me.

2) Alignment: pretty self explanatory. I used to set up a shot that was straight in diagonally across the table, with the OB 2 diamonds up from the end rail and 1 diamond over from the side rail, and the CB the same on the other corner. The goal is to shoot the ball in and draw back into the corner pocket near me, *nothing but net*!! Meaning you can't even touch the facings of the pocket. I've done that shot 100's of times. I noticed that 2 grooves appeared on my table...one perfectly straight, and one that veered off to the left about 1/2 inch. Clearly on those left shots, my alignment was off. So you really gotta fix this. I simple test is to set up a straight in, get down to shoot, and close your eyes. Relax your arm 100% and just stroke. If the ball is going in, you probably have good alignment. If not, you will be fighting yourself all the time. Get a competent instructor, because its really hard to see yourself. Or video tape yourself from head on or directly behind.

3) Do the drill I just mentioned. A LOT! You really need to learn how to aim thru the cue ball at the center of the object ball. Then just connect them. Gotta be free and loose. But to be honest, I have tightened up my grip a bit, sort of "loading" my wrist...I don't find it hurts my accuracy one bit. If anything, it might be better.The main thing is not to clench when you shoot.

4) Find a mirror that you can stand up at with your cue. Bend down to shoot as if the cue ball is right at the mirror surface. Look only at the cue tip in the mirror coming at your cue tip in reality. You want to align yourself so that it looks like if you stroked thru the mirror tip would go directly straight into your real tip. In other words the two cues should form a perfectly straight line. You will have to adjust where on your face you hold the cue in order for it to look like this. Now, when it looks perfectly straight, see where the cue sits on your face. *This* is your center of vision. You should make a real point to place this part of your face very precisely on the line of the shot. This way, you will *see* what *straight* is. This is so huge I can't even say.

I'm sure there is more, but I think if you try these things you will improve your accuracy on all shots, but especially straight in.

Hope it helps! Good luck and report back!

KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

This thread has really depressed me. I can't believe there are so many on this board that know so little about shooting pool. A straight in shot requires nothing beyond a straight stroke. How simple could it be? No pivot, no sweep, no throw, no spin, no touchie rightie no high and outside and no rain dance required. Just a straight stroke. Come on really? We are talking about straight in shots right?

Well, your only 50% right. It requires a straight stoke, and a correct perception of straightness. That second one is harder to develop and implement. But just as important. Hopefully this doesn't depress you further ;-)

KMRUNOUT

 

[CJ Wiley]

we used to do this as a proposition bet on the snooker table

Straight in shots are one of the exceptions of using the TOI to maximize pocket zones....although if you develop a really precise stroke you can use TOI to "cheat" the pocket on the left or right slightly (to move/force the cue ball slightly for position).

I like the drill where you shoot straight in shots and follow the cue ball into the same pocket, or draw the cue ball into the opposite corner pocket.....we used to do this as a proposition bet on the snooker table....it's really challenging, try it sometime.

Well if CJ wont come in and say it, I guess I will.... turn the straight in shots into touch of inside throws. Makes it easier to pocket straight in shots .... straight in is relative.

Lesh

 

[prewarhero]

Well, your only 50% right. It requires a straight stoke, and a correct perception of straightness. That second one is harder to develop and implement. But just as important. Hopefully this doesn't depress you further ;-)

KMRUNOUT

not at all. I thought that was a given. BUt it doesn't take a decoder ring to figure it out _ just ocular vision (LMAO). :thumbup:

 

[anbukev]

pros aiming off centered

I watched a lot of matches on youtube and I do notice that a lot of pros would aim off center on straight in shots. Just before they take the shot you can clearly see that they hit center cue ball. Can someone please explain this?

 

[The Renfro]

This thread has really depressed me. I can't believe there are so many on this board that know so little about shooting pool. A straight in shot requires nothing beyond a straight stroke. How simple could it be? No pivot, no sweep, no throw, no spin, no touchie rightie no high and outside and no rain dance required. Just a straight stroke. Come on really? We are talking about straight in shots right?

No need to be depressed... try some other ideas... The "many" like you might find out that there is more than one way to make a shot.. even the straight in ones.... =) The fun part even when you get older is that you keep finding out new ways to do things and the little you knew keeps getting bigger....

 

[riedmich]

This thread has really depressed me. I can't believe there are so many on this board that know so little about shooting pool. A straight in shot requires nothing beyond a straight stroke. How simple could it be? No pivot, no sweep, no throw, no spin, no touchie rightie no high and outside and no rain dance required. Just a straight stroke. Come on really? We are talking about straight in shots right?

Similar I think too. The straight shot is the simplest shot to do, BUT of course your preshot routine must be reliable and the eye-arm-body connection must be working. But having this issue work is the most important basic at all to play billards regardless what kind of disciplin.

When you "wonder" how many people there are who seemingly don't know so much and discuss in some kind of "stupid" way, you should regard that this is a forum and not a bible. This is what makes a forum, many different people with different skills, different knowledge. Better to see it in a very positive way that also a seemingly stupid answer may help someone in a certain situation.

This is why I aprreciate highly every answer that is related to the original question and does not blame anybody.

 

[Fast Lenny]

I would think fundamentals come into play greatly here. How straight do you shoot is the question really. I shoot long straight in shots in a drill format to work on it. Usually after doing this drill for an hour or so I am playing very well.

 

[Colonel]

I would think fundamentals come into play greatly here. How straight do you shoot is the question really. I shoot long straight in shots in a drill format to work on it. Usually after doing this drill for an hour or so I am playing very well.

^^^^^ this, it comes down to whether you have a straight unencumbered stroke. Having one will get you paid, not having one will get you busted.

 

[dougster26]

This is closely related to another pool problem: Target Acquisition Syndrome.

In pool, that's when you say "Don't land behind the 8-ball, don't land behind the 8-ball" and you focus on the spot behind the 8-ball. Well, sure enough, you end up putting the CB behind the 8-ball...because you focused on it so much. Even though your focus was negative -- don't do it, don't do it, don't do it -- the focus was intense enough to make it a positive.

The "motorcycle equivilent" is automobile drivers at an intersection who see a motorcycle coming and say "don't hit the motorcycle". They focus their eyes intently on the motorcycle while thinking "don't hit the motorcycle". And then they step on the gas and steer the car directly into the motorcycle. It's very common to hear motorcyclists report that the driver who hit them was "looking right at me the whole time!"

Many years ago I was stopped at an intersection. I looked to my right and then to my left. I didn't see a car so I started forward. Something told me to hit the brake because i saw something. You should of seen the dirty look I got from a guy on a motorcycle.

From that incident, I gather that when people pull out in front of a motorcyle it is because their mind is programmed to look for a car. Reprogram your mind to look for anything moving and you might save a life.

Two years ago I did witness a pick up pull out in front of a motorcycle. I don't know the extent of his injuries but he sure was hurting

 

[naji]

This thread has really depressed me. I can't believe there are so many on this board that know so little about shooting pool. A straight in shot requires nothing beyond a straight stroke. How simple could it be? No pivot, no sweep, no throw, no spin, no touchie rightie no high and outside and no rain dance required. Just a straight stroke. Come on really? We are talking about straight in shots right?

When you shoot a dart for 1st time, most likely to hit the wall, next shot you adjust your vision and maybe hit an area of the board, you adjust your arm, your speed, trajectory, maybe hit center for one or two times and miss many times. Pool hand motion is somewhat similar but without shoulder movement. TOI corrects hand movement in same way you adjust for dart. As experience builds up, players starts adjusting stance, aim, speed, and eventually get their.
The OP asked and answers given, I used to be depressed when I hear about TOI, I got there eventually, it is going stuff.

 

[crazysnake]

Eyes closed! That's strong! I agree with your assessment of the shot 100 percent.

 

[prewarhero]

When you shoot a dart for 1st time, most likely to hit the wall, next shot you adjust your vision and maybe hit an area of the board, you adjust your arm, your speed, trajectory, maybe hit center for one or two times and miss many times. Pool hand motion is somewhat similar but without shoulder movement. TOI corrects hand movement in same way you adjust for dart. As experience builds up, players starts adjusting stance, aim, speed, and eventually get their.
The OP asked and answers given, I used to be depressed when I hear about TOI, I got there eventually, it is going stuff.

OMG!!!!! what is happening here. Where is Rod Sterling? This must be an episode of the twilight zone.

Even the messiah himself has stated that you should not use TOI on straight in shots.

Renfro- there is no other way to shoot a straight in shot, at least none that are correct and make sense. I can't believe we are having this conversation.


With the exception of the rare times you must cheat a pocket (and then the shot is no longer straight) there probably has never been a pro player in the history of pool that did not shoot a straight in shot that was off from the vertical axis. Ever.

No, If you can't shoot a perfect stop shot on a straight in shot with the OB at least 3 feet from the pocket and the CB at least 3 feet from OB then you got trouble (and action).

 

[crazysnake]

All true. In my mind I am perfectly calm, confident and composed on every shot and the cue ball does exactly what I want it to. The stronger my visualization the better my results.

 

[naji]

OMG!!!!! what is happening here. Where is Rod Sterling? This must be an episode of the twilight zone.

Even the messiah himself has stated that you should not use TOI on straight in shots.

Renfro- there is no other way to shoot a straight in shot, at least none that are correct and make sense. I can't believe we are having this conversation.

 

[dr_dave]

Why do straight in shots seem to be harder than cut shots?

... probably because there is no excuse for missing them, because they are straight.

Also, people often compare long, tough, straight-in shots to shorter and easier cut shots. This is not a fair comparison.

Straight shots ARE easier than cut shots of the same CB-to-OB distance and the same OB-to-pocket distance. Proof can be found in TP 3.4 - Margin of error based on distance and cut angle.

Is it just me?

No.

Although, if you and others did a simple experiment, I bet your thinking might change. Here it is:

Place an object ball in the center of the table, and place the CB three feet away for a straight-in shot to a corner. Attempt this shot a large number of times and keep track of your make percentage. Then attempt the same number of shots, with the OB is the same place, but with the CB at random angles (maybe up to 30 or 45 degrees) for cuts both to the right and left, still positioning the CB three feet from the OB (along a circular arc) for each shot. Again keep track of the make percentage.

I am confident you will find that the straight shot is easier; in other words, it will have a higher make percentage (unless you have a really serious issue with any of the things below, in which case your results might be somewhat random).

I like to practice a long straight in shot but in a game it seems like my percentage is low.

In a way, there is extra pressure on straight shots, because we expect to make them, even if they are long (especially if we have practiced them specifically). In other words, there is no excuse for missing them.

Is it shot line perception? Any ideas? What's your take?

The most common reasons why people miss straight-in shots, especially long ones, are the following:

- Your "vision center" is not properly aligned. If this is the case, you won't perceive the straight line of the shot and your cue alignment properly. FYI, there are tests and drills for diagnosing and fixing this problem on the vision center resource page.

- You are not hitting the CB on the vertical centerline, creating unintentional sidespin, resulting in squirt, swerve, and spin-induced throw. Tip position is critical on a long, straight shot. The most common causes for having the cue tip off center are a poorly aligned "vision center" and a lack of focus dedicating to checking this during the "set" position of the pre-shot routine. FYI, there are drills for helping with this problem on the "finding the center of the CB" resource page.

- Your cue is not as level as possible. If so, the swerve effect due to any unintentional english becomes significant.

- You are not stroking straight. If so, the stroke "best practices" recommendations might help.

I hope that helps,
Dave

 

[macguy]

... probably because there is no excuse for missing them, because they are straight.

Also, people often compare long, tough, straight-in shots to shorter and easier cut shots. This is not a fair comparison.

Straight shots ARE easier than cut shots of the same CB-to-OB distance and the same OB-to-pocket distance. Proof can be found in TP 3.4 - Margin of error based on distance and cut angle.

No.

Although, if you and others did a simple experiment, I bet your thinking might change. Here it is:

Place an object ball in the center of the table, and place the CB three feet away for a straight-in shot to a corner. Attempt this shot a large number of times and keep track of your make percentage. Then attempt the same number of shots, with the OB is the same place, but with the CB at random angles (maybe up to 30 or 45 degrees) for cuts both to the right and left, still positioning the CB three feet from the OB (along a circular arc) for each shot. Again keep track of the make percentage.

I am confident you will find that the straight shot is easier; in other words, it will have a higher make percentage (unless you have a really serious issue with any of the things below, in which case your results might be somewhat random).


In a way, there is extra pressure on straight shots, because we expect to make them, even if they are long (especially if we have practiced them specifically). In other words, there is no excuse for missing them.

The most common reasons why people miss straight-in shots, especially long ones, are the following:

- Your "vision center" is not properly aligned. If this is the case, you won't perceive the straight line of the shot and your cue alignment properly. FYI, there are tests and drills for diagnosing and fixing this problem on the vision center resource page.

- You are not hitting the CB on the vertical centerline, creating unintentional sidespin, resulting in squirt, swerve, and spin-induced throw. Tip position is critical on a long, straight shot. The most common causes for having the cue tip off center are a poorly aligned "vision center" and a lack of focus dedicating to checking this during the "set" position of the pre-shot routine. FYI, there are drills for helping with this problem on the "finding the center of the CB" resource page.

- Your cue is not as level as possible. If so, the swerve effect due to any unintentional english becomes significant.

- You are not stroking straight. If so, the stroke "best practices" recommendations my help.

I hope that helps,
Dave

I have played pool long enough to have played for years when BIH was from behind the line. When you got a BIH behind the line on say a 9 ball, you always tended to set it up at a small angle. The thinking being this was easier. I did this also till a guy asked me why not set it up straight in.

I was fooling myself and pretty much doing what I saw others do. Funny how all these people were all wrong, straight in was in fact easier. I don't look for a spot on the ball when straight in. I shoot at the whole ball, in other words I mentally cover the whole object ball with the cueball using both edges. It works for me and I have not been missing straight in shots for 40 years.

I mentioned in my first posting on this subject that the good news was, once you have a method down for making straight in shots you have it. It doesn't even seem to require much future practice. Thats true, I don't practice more then a hand full of straight in shots, and I never miss them.

 

[driven]

Your balance, approach and swing must all work to allow the pendulum movement to be unencumbered. Once that's in place the game starts getting easier and cue ball movement becomes simplified. This is the holy grail to playing well, having all these swing components in place when your weight is right ''because'' your approach is dead perfect & your feet are right. Once that falls into place, straight ins pretty much any distance seem easy.

Well said.

macguy,
all those shots were supposed to be centerball stop shots.
the shots I miss that bad are mostly off center hits throwing the shot off.
The next question might be "what is causing such a bad hit?"
It could be any of the things in the above quote. For me it is often my feet are in the wrong place. silly but true. I just feels wrong. I sometimes feel it and think it doesnt matter i can make it anyway, not true. If it happens in a game I need to physically take a couple steps away and start over. Or miss the shot and sit down for a while.
or it might be a thought or distraction.

I can't rule out a bad stroke from time to time.

I like the anaology of a marksman who takes his target out to the farthest point on the range, after ten shots he has a nice little group there, the smaller the better,
often there will be some shots that missed the black circle altogether.

If I ever find the cure I will make a new thread.

thanks Dtl for the video and tenneseejoe for the thread. I learned some new things and hope you did as well
steven

 

[Old Nine Baller]

I cannot believe that people would actually suggest using anything other than centerball to shoot a straight in shot. The truth is that if you have trouble making straight in shots you are not a good player. Keep practicing and get better. There's no magic trick to help you make a straight in shot. Good players love straight in shots because they are so simple.

ONB